US12178633B2 - Attachment device for holding an auscultation device near a smart device - Google Patents

Abstract

An attachment device for holding an auscultation device near a smart device. The attachment device includes an interior compartment for receiving the smart device and a port for receiving the auscultation device. In use, the attachment device holds the microphone of the smart device adjacent to the auscultation device. The smart device records the heart or breathing sounds from the auscultation device, and a mobile application on the smart device classifies the sounds as normal or abnormal.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/976,772, entitled “Attachment Device for Holding an Auscultation Device Near a Smart Device” and filed on Feb. 14, 2020. The complete disclosure of said provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

BACKGROUND ART

A stethoscope is a medical device for auscultation or listening to the internal sounds of a human. A stethoscope commonly includes a small disc-shaped resonator that is placed against the skin (also called a chest piece) and a pair of tubes connected to earpieces. A stethoscope can be used to listen to the sounds made by the heart, lungs, and intestines. A stethoscope may also be used to listen to the sounds made by blood flow in arteries and veins. A major drawback of the prior art stethoscope is that it cannot be used in the remote diagnosis and treatment of patients, which is commonly referred to as telemedicine or telehealth. Telemedicine is particularly important in rural areas because of lack of local medical care. There are electronic stethoscopes that electronically connect to smartphones through the audio jack or the charging port, but they contain electrical components that make them complex and expensive.

It would therefore be desirable to develop an attachment device for holding an auscultation device near a smart device for recording and analyzing heart and breathing sounds without the necessity of extra electronics.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an attachment device for holding an auscultation device near a smart device. The attachment device includes an interior compartment for receiving the smart device and a port for receiving the auscultation device. In use, the attachment device holds the microphone of the smart device adjacent to the auscultation device. The smart device records the heart and breathing sounds using the auscultation device, and a mobile application on the smart device utilizing an artificial intelligence algorithm classifies the sounds as normal or abnormal.

These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood from a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims in conjunction with the drawings as described following:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG.1 is a side perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the attachment device holding a smartphone.

FIG.2 is a back view of a first preferred embodiment of the attachment device holding a smartphone.

FIG.3 is a side perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the attachment device.

FIG.4 is a side perspective view of the stethoscope chest piece of the present invention.

FIG.5 is a top perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the attachment device holding a smartphone before insertion of the stethoscope chest piece.

FIG.6 is a side perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the attachment device holding a smartphone as the stethoscope chest piece is being inserted into the attachment device.

FIG.7 is a side perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the attachment device holding a smartphone and attached to the stethoscope chest piece.

FIG.8 is a top perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the attachment device holding a smartphone and attached to the stethoscope chest piece.

FIG.9 is a side perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the attachment device holding a smartphone and attached to the stethoscope chest piece.

FIG.10 is a side perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the attachment device.

FIG.11 is a side perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the attachment device.

FIG.12 is a side perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the attachment device.

FIG.13 is an illustration of the sound waves from testing of the first preferred embodiment of the attachment device.

FIG.14A is a side view of the stethoscope chest piece of the present invention.FIG.14B is a top perspective view of the stethoscope chest piece of the present invention.FIG.14C is a bottom view of the stethoscope chest piece of the present invention.FIG.14D is a bottom perspective view of the stethoscope chest piece of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference toFIGS.1-14D, the preferred embodiments of the present invention may be described. Theattachment device10 of the present invention is a mechanical device for holding anauscultation device12 in close proximity (or adjacent) to themicrophone14 of a smart device16 (such as a smartphone) for recording heart and breathing sounds to permit later analysis by a medical professional. Thus, theattachment device10 is configured to hold asmart device16 and to receive anauscultation device12. While theauscultation device12 is preferably astethoscope chest piece18 comprising abell36 or diaphragm, theattachment device10 is configured to receive a wide variety of auscultation devices.

Theattachment device10 is also configured to hold a variety of different sized smartphones and other electronic devices capable of recording sound. For example, thesmart device16 may be an iPhone® smartphone or an iPad® device. Theattachment device10 is preferably made of Polylactic Acid (PLA) because it is relatively inexpensive and easy for 3D printing. However, theattachment device10 may alternatively be made of other hard and durable materials. In addition to being durable so the device may be reused, it is preferable that theattachment device10 be made of materials that allow the device to be easily cleaned.

As shown inFIG.1, theattachment device10 is a clip in the first embodiment with twoarms20 joined on opposite sides of aconnection portion38. Thus, theattachment device10 includes twoarms20 that when pressed towards one another allows access to theinterior22 of theconnection portion38 of theattachment device10. Theinterior22 may alternatively be referred to as aninterior compartment22. Theinterior22 is configured to receive an end of thesmart device16. Theinterior22 of theattachment device10 preferably is shallow enough that none of the screen of thesmart device16 is obstructed by theattachment device10. Rubber orelastic cushions24 are attached in theinterior22 of theattachment device10. When thesmart device16 is positioned in theinterior22 of theattachment device10, thesmart device16 preferably is only contacted by thecushions24. The cushions are made of material with a high coefficient of friction in order to provide secure points of fixation for thesmart device16 and theattachment device10. In addition, the cushions provide sound insulation. As shown inFIG.1, in one embodiment, there are three cushions. The cushions are preferably positioned on opposite sides of the opening to theinterior22 and at the bottom of theinterior22 of theattachment device10.

As shown inFIG.2, theattachment device10 includes aport26 preferably positioned in the bottom of theinterior22. When thesmart device16 is positioned in theattachment device10, themicrophone14 at the base of thesmart device16 is preferably positioned adjacent to theport26. Theport26 is preferably cylindrical and extends into the interior22 of theattachment device10, as shown inFIGS.2-3. The bottom of the interior22 also includes asupport32 on which thesmart device16 rests. This allows thesmart device16 to sit straight with the microphone properly aligned with the port. Thesupport32 is cylindrical in one embodiment but it may alternatively be different shapes. Thesupport32 also provides stability to the attachment device when the smart device is attached to the attachment device. Acushion24 is preferably attached to the top of thesupport32, as shown inFIGS.1 and3.

After thesmart device16 is positioned in theinterior22 of theattachment device10, theauscultation device12 is connected to theport26 of the attachment device. In one embodiment, a portion of theauscultation device12 is received in theport26, as shown inFIGS.5-7. For example, in one embodiment, theneck28 of thestethoscope chest piece18 is received in theport26. Theneck28 is pushed into theport26 until the end of the neck is touching the surroundings of themicrophone14 of thesmart device16.

In one embodiment, as shown inFIGS.4-5 and14A-D, theneck28 of thestethoscope chest piece18 extends perpendicularly to the face of thebell36. This configuration of thestethoscope chest piece18 permits easy attachment to theattachment device10. In this embodiment, theneck28 of thestethoscope chest piece18 is larger than the neck of the prior artstethoscope chest piece18 that extends parallel to the face of thebell36. Thestethoscope chest piece18 has acoustic space or channeling that maximizes certain frequencies for specific sounds. In this regard, thestethoscope chest piece18 is configured to filter noise and bad signals for easier analysis and more accurate diagnosis.

When theauscultation device12 is attached to theattachment device10, theauscultation device12 prevents thearms20 of theattachment device10 from being bent. This is achieved because thearms20 contact theauscultation device12, as shown inFIG.9. Since thearms20 cannot be bent, a force (as shown by the arrows inFIG.9) is applied on thesmart device16 from the walls of the interior22 of the attachment device. As a result, both theauscultation device12 and thesmart device16 are firmly secured to the attachment device.

Once thesmart device16 and theauscultation device12 are attached to theattachment device10, the patient, patient's caregiver or a medical professional opens a mobile app on thesmart device16 for recording and processing the sounds received from theauscultation device12. In one embodiment, the smart device16 (through the app) records the sound, filters it through an artificial intelligence algorithm, plots an image of the sound and sends it to the medical professional. The artificial intelligence algorithm filters background noise using low pass and high pass filters which makes the sound of interest clearer and louder. Depending on the particular issue with the patient, the app may be set for a heartbeat analysis, heart rhythm analysis, breathing sounds analysis, carotid bruit sound analysis, or another analysis. The medical professional receives the image of the sound with a recording of the sound through the app on his or her smart device which permits the medical professional to make a diagnosis.

EXAMPLE: To test the invention, asmartphone16 was attached to theattachment device10. Theneck28 of astethoscope chest piece18 was then pushed through theport26 of theattachment device10. The smartphone and the stethoscope chest piece attached to theattachment device10 is shown inFIG.9. The stethoscope chest piece was placed over the chest of the user. The microphone of the smartphone received the sounds from the chest piece, and a voice recorded app on the smartphone was used to record the sound. The sound file was then sent to a computer and analyzed using the Audacity software program. The sound waves from the sound file is shown inFIG.13 withheartbeats34 noted. Eachheartbeat34 includes a first heart sound and a second heart sound. From a review of the sound waves image and the sound recording, a physician was able to analyze the condition of the user and provide a healthy assessment of the user.

In another embodiment, the app is configured to diagnose the patient without the assistance of the medical professional by utilizing an artificial intelligence algorithm. The artificial intelligence algorithm was trained by recording sounds from a SAM II® manikin. The manikin has internal speakers to simulate the sounds of the body. The sounds from the manikin were labeled by type (e.g., normal, mitral regurgitation, S3 heart sounds, arrythmias, etc.). Those sounds were then processed by filtering noise with a high pass or low pass filter and converted into arrays of numbers (matrices). Fast Fourier transforms were performed, and then mel frequencies, zero-crossings, and spectral roll off numbers were calculated. All of these metrics were inputs that trained the artificial intelligence algorithm.

Once the patient's sounds are recorded on thesmart device16 and the noise filtering is performed as discussed above, the sounds are converted to an array of numbers (i.e., a matrix). Mel frequencies, zero crossings and a fast Fourier transform are performed based on the sounds. All of these metrics are inputted to the artificial intelligence algorithm. As discussed above, the artificial intelligence algorithm is trained to identify and classify the types of sounds (e.g., abnormal, normal, artifacts). If the patient's sound is considered to be an artifact, the mobile app requests the patient to record the sound again. All of the recorded sounds are sent to the medical professional with a label with probabilities of a possible medical condition, such as normal 90%, abnormal 5%, and artifact 5%. This allows the medical professional to have a guide before listening to the sound.

An alternative embodiment of theattachment device10 of the present invention is shown inFIGS.10-12. In this embodiment, theattachment device10 includes asmart device case30 with aport26 for receiving theauscultation device12. Theport26 preferably includes a cylindrical channel that extends from the base of thesmart device case30. Theport26 preferably is positioned such that the microphone of thesmart device16 will be positioned directly over theport26 when thesmart device16 is positioned inside thesmart device case30. Theneck28 of thestethoscope chest piece18 is inserted into theport26 by sliding the neck into the port and pushing the neck until the end of the neck is touching the surroundings of themicrophone14 of thesmart device16 in thesmart device case30.

The present invention has been described with reference to certain preferred and alternative embodiments that are intended to be exemplary only and not limiting to the full scope of the present invention.

Claims (7)

We claim:

1. An attachment device for holding an auscultation device near a smart device, said attachment device comprising:

a first arm and a second arm, wherein said first arm and said second arm are joined to a connection portion, wherein said connection portion comprises an interior compartment, wherein said attachment device has an open position and a closed position; and

a port extending from the interior compartment of said connection portion to an exterior of said connection portion,

wherein said interior compartment of said connection portion is operable to receive a smart device when said attachment device is in said open position and said port is operable to receive an auscultation device, wherein said attachment device is configured such that a microphone of said smart device is positioned adjacent to said auscultation device when said connection portion receives said smart device and said port receives said auscultation device,

wherein said first arm comprises a free end and a connected end and said second arm comprises a free end and a connected end, wherein said connected end of said first arm is joined to said connection portion and said connected end of said second arm is joined to said connection portion, wherein said free end of said first arm and said free end of said second arm are operable to contact said auscultation device when said smart device is received in said interior compartment.

2. The attachment device ofclaim 1, wherein said interior compartment comprises a plurality of cushions.

3. The attachment device ofclaim 1, wherein said port is positioned in a bottom of said interior compartment.

4. The attachment device ofclaim 1, wherein a support is positioned adjacent said port.

5. The attachment device ofclaim 1, wherein said auscultation device is a stethoscope chest piece comprising a neck, and wherein said stethoscope chest piece comprises a bell or a diaphragm.

6. The attachment device ofclaim 5, wherein said port is operable to receive said neck.

7. The attachment device ofclaim 6, wherein said neck extends perpendicularly to a face of said bell.

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